Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum
Cedars oceanspray
Photo: parent species Holodiscus discolor · (c) Gavin Slater, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum (Cedars oceanspray) is a native California shrub in the Rosaceae family, recognized by 4 sympatric varieties; distinguished by red coloration, low elevation, and serpentine habitat.
Cedars oceanspray is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in woodland and chaparral habitats at elevations of 150 to 500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces cream-white flowers in large, branching clusters 4 to 15 centimeters long with pink-flushed branches. Growing 1 to 2 meters tall with bright red young twigs that are glabrous to sparsely hairy, it forms a distinctive woodland shrub. Its leaves are small and shiny, with ovate to obovate blades 3 to 25 millimeters long, flushed with red and featuring entire or toothed edges. The shrub is particularly notable for its bright red young stems and delicate, shiny foliage characteristic of rocky woodland environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric varieties; distinguished by red coloration, low elevation, and serpentine habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist woodland, rocky slopes, chaparral, on serpentine
Elevation: 150-500 m
Bloom period
Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Cercocarpus: Holodiscus has large foamy flower panicles with tiny petals; Cercocarpus has inconspicuous flowers with no petals.; vs Ribes: Holodiscus has pyramidal flower clusters; currants have drooping or upright racemes with distinctive tubular flowers.; vs Ceanothus: Holodiscus has pyramidal panicles of saucer-shaped flowers; Ceanothus has rounded clusters of tiny cupped flowers.; vs Rubus: Holodiscus has tiny flowers in foam-like masses; Rubus has larger individual flowers with prominent petals.; vs Corylus: Holodiscus has showy white flower panicles; hazelnut has inconspicuous catkins and large nuts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum native to California?
Yes. Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum bloom?
Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum belong to?
Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum is in the Rosaceae family, genus Holodiscus.
Is Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum rare or endangered?
Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S1.
What habitat does Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum grow in?
Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum grows in Moist woodland, rocky slopes, chaparral, on serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.